Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Jockey Rosie Napravnik, her face still splattered with dirt from the track, won the Rachel Alexandra Stakes with horse Unlimited Budget in New Orleans on February 23.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Believe You Can ridden by Napravnik comes down the final stretch during the 138th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky. Napravnik is one of the favored jockeys in this year's 139th Kentucky Derby and is ranked the fifth-highest earning jockey on the circuit.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Napravnik celebrates after riding Believe You Can to win the 138th Kentucky Oaks.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Napravnik sits atop Believe You Can with the lilies after winning the 138th Kentucky Oaks.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Horse Shanghai Bobby and Rosie Napravnik, right, race to first place ahead of Mario Gutierrez and He's Had Enough during the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race in Arcadia, California, on November 3.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Napravnik and Shanghai Bobby, center, race down the track to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race.

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Rosie Napravnik: Out in front – Napravnik and Shanghai Bobby are led into the winner's circle after winning the Breeder's Cup Juvenile race.

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"I think my horse Mylute is going to be a live longshot. He's very laid back, he's not bothered by much, so the crowds shouldn't get to him -- he's definitely the type of horse that you want to have in a race like this."

In 2012, her horses finished in the top three in nearly half the races she entered.

Not that Napravnik is immune to playing on her gender to help raise her profile in this male-dominated sport.

"For a female jockey it's a little bit harder to get yourself established. But once you can get over that hump and prove that you're a competitive rider, and win races, it's irrelevant what gender you are," she said.

"To be honest, the female aspect has worked to my advantage in a lot of respects -- just with publicity and being recognized for things that I've accomplished which may not have been such a big deal if it was just another male jockey."